Dolichandra unguis-cati (L.) L.G. Lohmann

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Photo: Mark Hyde
Reps Theatre, Harare

Photo: Mark Hyde
Epping Road, Mount Pleasant, Harare

Photo: Mark Hyde
Blue Kerry, Harare

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Synonyms:	Bignonia tweediana Lindl. Bignonia unguis-cati L. Doxantha unguis-cati (L.) Rehder Macfadyena unguis-cati (L.) A.H. Gentry
Common names:	Cat's claw creeper (English)
Frequency:	Locally common
Status:	Introduced
Description:	Climber, sometimes ascending to great heights in trees, sometimes creeping along the ground. Underground tubers large. Leaves simple on lower growth but mainly 2-foliolate above; leaflets ovate to lanceolate. Tendrils 3-fid, curving like cat's claws. Flowers spectacular, but usually short-lived. Corolla yellow, 5-7 cm across the lobes. Fruit very long and narrow, 30-90 × 1-2 cm. Seeds 3-4 × 1 cm, winged.
Notes:	Very commonly grown garden plant now well naturalised, sometimes in great abundance, but so far, only within and close to the cities of Harare and Mutare. It is very likely more widespread but under-recorded.
Derivation of specific name:	unguis-cati: from Latin, unguis, meaning claw and cati, a cat.
Habitat:	On trees in parks and gardens, mainly in urban areas within Harare; also in riverine fringe vegetation.
Altitude range: (metres)	1250 - 1550 m
Flowering time:	Sep - Dec
Worldwide distribution:	Native to Central and South America; a cultivated plant or naturalised weed in other countries.
Zimbabwe distribution:	C,E
Growth form(s):	Climber, liane.
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Images last updated:	Saturday 10 December 2016
Literature:	Davies, H.F. (Undated). Alphabetical Catalogue of Plants growing in the gardens of Ewanrigg National Park, Arcturus. [Possibly not published (typed only)] Page 5. Henderson, L. (2001). Alien weeds and invasive plants Plant Protection Research Institute Handbook No. 12. Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Council, South Africa. Page 62. (Includes a picture).

Other sources of information about Dolichandra unguis-cati:

Our websites:

Flora of Mozambique: Dolichandra unguis-cati
Flora of Mozambique: cultivated Dolichandra unguis-cati
Flora of Zimbabwe: cultivated Dolichandra unguis-cati

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Dolichandra unguis-cati
African Plant Database: Dolichandra unguis-cati
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Dolichandra unguis-cati
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Dolichandra unguis-cati
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Dolichandra unguis-cati
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Dolichandra unguis-cati
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Dolichandra unguis-cati
JSTOR Plant Science: Dolichandra unguis-cati
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Dolichandra unguis-cati
Plants of the World Online: Dolichandra unguis-cati
Tropicos: Dolichandra unguis-cati
Wikipedia: Dolichandra unguis-cati